What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using
©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

COMMENTS are appreciated as feedback is the driving energy of blogging - And if you like this site please pass it along to a friend. Thanks!

NOTE: TO ENLARGE PHOTO, CLICK ON SAME - If using Firefox also click f11 - photos will fill the screen ...... ----------------------------------- ......TRANSLATION BUTTON AT TOP OF LEFT COLUMN!

This Morning at the Pond

- and drops of thawing frozen rain falling from the upper-story dimple the mirrored view

Sundown - in the Rain III

through the understory in the lower/middle - about four lights close to the water
(also note the two large birds settling in for the night in the tops of the trees)

it just came to me - there is a pier hidden by the marshy tree lined point and those are the night safety lights!!!

Sundown - in the Rain II


I used tele-photo on this shot.  When deciding to post it as a 'second' view of the early evening/late afternoon down the North East River, I enlarged the photo digitally and noticed several lights in the middle right looking like house lights or boat lights which baffled me, for the only source of house lights would have been much higher where condominiums in the far distance are situated on a ridge.  I will post a farther photo, digitally enlarged, showing the lights more distinctly.

Sundown - in the Rain


The Green


Historic New Castle

Historic New Castle Separation Day ParadeNew Castle, Delaware was originally settled by the Dutch West India Company in 1651 under the leadership of Peter Stuyvesant. Originally named Fort Casmir, the town changed name and ownership several times over the next 30 years and through the second and third Anglo-Dutch wars. It wasn't until 1680 that New Castle was conveyed to William Penn by the Duke of York and served as his landing place and where he first set foot on American soil on October 27, 1682.
The transfer of New Castle to William Penn raised disputes over boundary lines and was hotly contested by Lord Baltimore. The dispute led to a property survey conducted by Mason and Dixon - now famed in history for the Mason-Dixon Line.
Today, Historic New Castle, Delaware is located just 10 minutes south of downtown WILMINGTON, encompasses 3.2 square miles and is home to approximately 5,200 residents. Overlooking the Delaware River, Historic New Castle is the oldest continuously occupied town in the Delaware Valley. And, thanks to the efforts of legendary preservationist, Louise du Pont Crowninshield, this vibrant, fully occupied community remains one of the most important Colonial/Federal villages in America - second only to Williamsburg, Virginia in the number and authenticity of its historic structures.